# Development of an implantable closed-loop system for delivery of naloxone for the prevention of opioid-related overdose deaths

> **NIH NIH UG3** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $2,099,135

## Abstract

Abstract
The current epidemic of opioid-related deaths ravaging the nation demands innovative new approaches to treat
opioid use disorders and prevent deaths resulting from accidental overdose. Patients with a history of opioid
use followed by a period of sobriety are at particularly high risk for overdose. This increased risk stems from the
development of tolerance during prolonged periods of use. Tolerance can quickly fade during a period of
abstinence, so if a patient relapses and takes the same dose used prior to the period of abstinence, the dose
will be high enough to precipitate an acute respiratory crisis, leading to injury or death. Current treatment requires
administration of naloxone by first responders. This treatment requires timely identification of the overdose and
need for a rescue injection, as well as the immediate availability of the medication. The development of a fail-
safe treatment that would provide a life-saving dose of naloxone without the need for intervention by another
party could significantly reduce mortality. In the present application, we propose the development of a new
medical device comprising an implantable, closed-loop system that senses the presence of an opioid overdose,
and automatically administers a life-saving bolus injection of naloxone, and simultaneously alerts first
responders. This proposal builds on technologies that the investigative team has developed over the past several
years.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10022117
- **Project number:** 5UG3DA050303-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert W Gereau
- **Activity code:** UG3 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,099,135
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10022117

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10022117, Development of an implantable closed-loop system for delivery of naloxone for the prevention of opioid-related overdose deaths (5UG3DA050303-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10022117. Licensed CC0.

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